The Woods Less Seen

You may have walked through your favourite patch of woodland many times, but think for a moment about when you were last genuinely mindful of your surroundings. It is at times when life is busiest that we can go through our same old routine without really appreciating the small pleasures. So, with spring in the air, I encourage you to explore your woods and see if you can notice some of the subtle delights of nature.

Nature does not need to be dramatic to be enjoyable. Taking the time to notice something understated, such as the delicate way that the fresh light dapples through the budding canopy or the gentle smell of balmy hawthorn blossom, can be incredibly gratifying.

If you’re really quiet and look carefully you might even see some of the animals which call the woods home. We have often been surprised by the cracking of a twig in the distance and turned to glimpse a roe or muntjac deer feeding peacefully, unaware of our presence. It is also fascinating and comical to stand and watch the escapades of playful squirrels as they eagerly chase each other.

Even if you can’t see the animals directly, you can often see the signs of their presence. It can be great fun to do some nature detective work by using sightings of tracks and droppings to determine which animals have passed through the woods before you. There are usually dog paw prints along the paths but occasionally these are interspersed with the small, two-toed prints of roe deer.

Droppings provide a wealth of information about the animals that live in the woods and it doesn’t take long to learn how to identify some of the most common types. For example, fox droppings are usually dark with a pointed end and often contain evidence of what they have eaten, including fur, seeds and bones. On the other hand, deer droppings are found in small piles, are very smooth and don’t usually contain bits, but they too are slightly pointed on one end.

In our local woods, one of the most exciting signs of spring is obvious if you are looking for it, but if you were to pass briskly through you might not notice it. Recently, glossy green leaves have been populating the floor of the woods creating a thick emerald carpet which brightens even the shadiest spots. This can only mean one thing. Bluebells are coming! Soon the woods will be colonised by an enchanting tapestry of azure blooms.

Of course, no article about the simple pleasures of woodland would be complete without a mention of birdsong. The choruses of birds are so much more complex than they first sound. What to us might simply sound like a noise could mean any number of things to another bird. It might be a declaration of territory, a flirtatious ballad or a signal of danger. There are a number of birdsongs and calls which you will often hear in the woods which are instantly recognisable once you know what you are listening for. Some of my favourites are those of great tits with their high-pitched, two-syllabled ‘tea-cher, tea-cher’ calls, the varied melodious trilling songs of blackbirds, and the distinctive strident ‘laugh’ of green woodpeckers. I’m going to set myself an aim this month to learn to identify three new bird songs, perhaps you could do the same – there are lots of resources on the internet to help with this, I find the RSPB’s website particularly helpful.

There is an abundance of simple pleasures for each of the senses in the woods, all you need to do is take notice of them. We would love to hear about some of the things which bring you enjoyment on your walks too!